THE LAWS OF THE LAND.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7190, 7 January 1902, Page 4

THE LAWS OF THE LAND.

Below we publish our final article on the Acts of Parliament past last session:—

NEW ZEALAND ENSIGN

Subject to the approval of tho Imperial authorities the Now Zealand Ensign is to bo the blue ensign of the Eoyal Naval Reserve, with tho Southern Cross on the ily. This is to be the recognised (lag of the colony for general use on shore and on Government vessels. Anyone who defaces our Hag by placing on it any sign, representation or letter is liable to a penalty not exceeding £5.

PROMISSORY OATHS,

The Promissory Oaths Act provides that a Ju.siiee of the Peace need not repeat his oath on his being re-appointed, and this provision applies to Justices re-appointed before or after the commencement of the Act Members of both Houses of Parliament miwt take a fresh oath of allegiance when a new Sovereign comes to the throne.

REGISTRATION' OF BIRTHS,

The Eegistration of Births Extension Act makes provision for the registration on payment of £1, of any child in tho colony two years previously to Bth November, 1901.

THE PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE,

Tho Public Trust Office Act niafes a somewhat important amendment in tho Public Trust Office Consolidation' Act, 1801. Section 27 of the latter Act provides, inter alia, that an order of a Judge is required before the Public Trustee can lease, dispose of property by way of exChange, purchase in fee simple lands in the colony, and borrow money on the security of property. Tho Act of last session, provides that in such cases an order of a judge should not be required when the property dealt with does not exceed £2000 in value.

THE LAW OF TRUSTEES,

The Trustee Amendment Act provides for the appointment of a new trustee where a trustee is dead, or remains out of the colony for twelve months, or desires to be discharged from the trust, or refuses, or is unfit to net, or is incapable of acting. The appointment of a now trustee is made by the person nominated for the purpose by the instrument (if any) creating the trust, or, if there is no such person, or no such person able and willing- to act, by the surviving or continuing trustees, or the personal representatives of the last surviving or continuing trustee. On the ap° pointment of a new trustee for the whole or any part of trust property, the number of trustees may be increased and a separate lot of trustees may be appointed for any part of the trust property held on trusts distinct from those relating to any other part. This only applies providing that a contrary intention is not expressed, in the instrument creating the trust. Provision is also made for the retirement of a trustee if ho so desires, and the vesting in the co-trustees, and for the trust property in the new or continuing trustees. In regard to future trusts it is provided that where a trust is vested in two or more trustees jointly, it may be exercised by the survivor or survivors unless the contrary is expressed in the instrument creating the trust. Where any property is held in trust for an infant Dhe trustees may, at their solo discretion, pay to tho infant's parents or guardian tho income of the property, or othorwiso apply it to the infant's maintenance education or benefit, whether there is' any other fund applicable to tho same purpose or any person bound by law to provide for the infant's maintenance or not. Ther residue of tho income must bo invested for the benefit of the person who ultimately becomes possessed of tho property. This section only applies to trusts created aftoi: tho commencement of tho Act and provided that a contrary intention is not expressed in the instrument under which the interest of the infant arises. Any trustee or oxecutor of any deceased person who was

registered, or was equitably entitled to be registered, as the holder of a sharo in a company, may be registered as tho holder, and bo subject to the same liabilities as if tho share had remained in tho name o£ the deceased person.